ES2310282T3 - 2-D (BIDIMENSIONAL) WIDE-BAND ELECTRONIC SWEEP NETWORK WITH CTS POWER SUPPLY (CONTINUOUS TRANSVERSE ELEMENT) AND MEMS CHANNELS (MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM). - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable antenna (10), ESA, of an electronic scanning lens network comprising: a wideband pass-through lens (11) that includes a first and a second network of broadband radiating elements (14; 14a; 14b) and a network of phase variation modules (18) or phase shifters arranged between the first and second radiating elements network (14; 14a; 14b); and a continuous transverse transmission element (CTS) supply network (12) arranged next to the first network of radiating elements (14, 14a, 14b) in order to deliver a flat wave front in the near field; characterized in that the phase variation modules (18) or phase shifters consist of phase variation modules (18) or MEMS phase shifters that orient a beam irradiated by the CTS power supply network (12) in two dimensions, the first and the second network Radiant broadband elements (14a, 14b) are manufactured on a printed circuit board (84), PCB card, and the MEMS phase shifting modules or phase shifters (18) are mounted on the PCB (84), between the radiating broadband input and output elements (14a, 14b), and each MEMS phase variation or phase shifter module (18) includes a plurality of DC connection pins (92) that extend through the thickness of the card PCBs (84) and are electrically connected with DC control and polarization signaling lines (108) arranged on the side of the PCB board (84) opposite to the side on which the phase variation modules (18) are mounted or MEMS phase shifters, routed through the center of the PCB card (84) and extending to an edge of the PCB card (84), the control signaling and DC polarization lines (108) being connected to a DC distribution line (138).

Description

Electronic scanning network in 2-D (two-dimensional) broadband with power of CTS (continuous transverse element) and MEMS phase shifters (system microelectromechanical).

The present invention relates to an antenna Adjustable electronic scanning lens network (ESA), which understands:

a band pass feed lens wide, which includes a first and a second network of elements broadband radiators and a network of phase variation modules or phase shifters arranged between the first and the second network of radiant elements; Y

a power supply network continuous transverse transmission (CTS), arranged next to the first  network of radiant elements in order to deliver a wavefront Plane in the near field.

The present invention also relates to a Radio frequency energy frequency scanning method.

An antenna and such a method are known as from US 6,421,021.

Background of the invention

Advanced aerial radar systems and spacers have so far used electronic scanning antennas (ESA) that include thousands of radiant elements. For example, large speed control radars that can be applied against multiple targets, simultaneously, they can use ESA with the In order to get the necessary power opening product.

The spatial architecture of lenses can constitute an approach to manufacture ESA for systems of air and space radar. But when architecture is used spatial lens at high frequencies, for example, the X-band, and the most active components, such as phase inverters, are grouped in a given area, the weight, the higher thermal density, and energy consumption can affect negatively to the cost and the possibility of application of such systems.

So far, the phase variation circuits For electronic scanning lens network antennas have included ferrites, PIN diodes and transistor switching devices field effect (FET). These phase inverters are heavy, they consume a considerable amount of CC and are expensive. Besides, the implementation of PIN diodes and FET switches in circuitry of radio frequency (RF) phase inverters is complicated by the need for an additional polarization circuit by means of DC in the RF trajectory The necessary DC polarization circuit for PIN diodes and FET switches limits the effectiveness of the Phase variation frequency and increases RF losses. Endow to an ESA of available transmit / receive (T / R) modules Currently it is not desirable for reasons of cost, heat dissipation inadequate and inefficient energy consumption. In sum, the weight, the cost and efficiency of phase variation circuits available make these impractical for radars space and ESA communications, in which thousands of These devices.

US 6,421,021 mentioned previously, it describes an active network antenna system of space feeding lenses that presents an active network of lenses with a first network of radiant elements that define a front antenna opening, a second network of radiant elements that define a rear antenna opening and a network of modules sandwich transmission / reception between the front opening and the rear opening The feed opening includes an opening CTS broadband that generates a flat wave in the field near.

The publication of Lee J. et al ., "Array antennas using low loss MEMS phase shifters" (IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium 2002, Digest (Compendium) , Aps. San Antonio, Texas, USA, June 16-21, New York, NY, USA: IEEE, US, vol. 1 of 4, June 16, 2002, pages 14-17, XP010591632 ISBN: 0-7803-7330-8, describes a network of antennas using low-loss microelectromechanical system phase inverters.

An object of the present invention is to offer an adjustable antenna of electronic scanning lens network with microelectromechanical system with an improved energy distribution, especially the DC distribution, and a radio frequency energy frequency scanning method that employs a distribution of energy
improved

Compendium of the invention

The present invention offers an antenna Adjustable electronic scanning lens network (ESA) with system  microelectromechanical (MEMS). ESA MEMS antenna includes a lens Broadband pass-through power and a power supply network continuous transverse transmission element (CTS). Lens Broadband pass feed includes a first and a second network of broadband radiating elements and a network of phase variation modules or MEMS phase shifters arranged between the First and second network of radiant elements. The network of continuous transverse transmission element feed (CTS) it is arranged next to the first network of radiant elements with the in order to deliver a flat wave front in the near field. The phase variation modules or MEMS phase shifters orient a beam irradiated by the CTS power network in two dimensions.

The present invention also offers a method radio frequency energy frequency scanning, which It comprises the steps of introducing RF energy into a network of continuous transverse transmission element (CTS) feed, radiate the RF energy in a flat waveform, through a plurality of CTS radiation elements, in the near field, deliver the flat RF wave at an input opening of a broadband pass feed lens that includes a plurality of phase variation modules or MEMS phase shifters, convert the RF wave plane into discrete RF signals, use the phase variation modules or MEMS phase shifters to treat RF signals, radiate RF signals through a radiation aperture of the band pass feed lens wide, thus re-combining the RF signals and generating a antenna beam, and vary the frequency of the RF signal introduced in the CTS power network to change position angle of the antenna beam in plane E of the feed lens broadband and to perform a frequency sweep through the antenna beam.

For the achievement of the above purposes and others, the invention comprises the particularities described completely in what follows and pointed out especially in the claims. The description that follows and the attached drawings present in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. But these embodiments are indicative of only some of the different modes of implementation of the principles of the invention. Other objects, advantages and new features of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows from the invention, when considered together with the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a physical environment view, schematic, of several radar applications that incorporate a Adjustable electronic scanning network antenna (ESA) with inverters phase microelectromechanical system (MEMS) according to the present invention

Figure 2 shows a plan view, from above, of a pair of radiating broadband elements and a module of phase variation or MEMS phase shifter in accordance with this invention.

Figure 3 shows a lens network antenna electronic scanning, according to the present invention, including the lens antenna a step feed lens of broadband with seven phase variation modules or phase shifters MEMS and a transmission element power network Continuous transverse (CTS) with seven radiating elements CTS.

Figure 4 shows a plan view, from above, of the electronic scanning lens network antenna of the figure 3, except that the lens antenna of figure 4 has of 16 phase variation modules or MEMS phase shifters and elements radiant CTS.

Figure 5 shows a view, in section transverse, of a segment of the transmission element network Continuous transverse (CTS) of Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows a circuit card printed (PCB) that includes a network of radiating band elements wide printed, and a network of phase variation modules or MEMS phase shifters on the PCB card, in accordance with this invention.

Figure 7 shows a side elevation view of the PCB card and phase variation modules or phase shifters MEMS of figure 6, in section on line 7-7 of the figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a view, from below, of PCB board and phase variation modules or phase shifters MEMS of figure 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a module of phase variation or MEMS phase shifter in accordance with this invention.

Figure 10 shows an adjustable antenna of MEMS electronic scanning lens network according to the present invention, which shows the mounting structure and its connection lines in greater detail.

Detailed description of the invention

In the detailed description that follows, the identical components have been assigned the same numbers of reference, regardless of whether they are shown in embodiments different from the present invention. In order to illustrate the present invention clearly and concisely, the drawings are not necessarily show to scale, and certain characteristics may Be presented in a somewhat schematic way.

With reference initially to the figures 1-3, the present invention consists of an antenna adjustable 10 (figure 3) of electronic scanning lens network two-dimensional microelectromechanical system (MEMS) that includes a broadband pass feed lens 11 and a network of continuous transverse transmission element feed (CTS) 12. The broadband pass feed lens 11 includes a rear network of radiant elements 14a broadband, a network front broadband radiating elements 14b, and a network of phase variation modules 18 or MEMS phase shifters (figure 2) sandwiches between the rear and front element networks radiants 14a and 14b. The CTS 12 power grid, positioned next to the rear network of radiant elements 14a, delivers a Flat wave front in the near field. The 18 modules of phase variation or MEMS phase shifters orient a beam irradiated by the CTS 12 power supply network in two dimensions, that is in the plane E and in plane H, and consequently the network of CTS 12 power only has to generate a fixed beam. How it will be appreciated, the present invention obviates the need for lines of transmission, power dividers and interconnections, associated usually with collective power antennas.

The antenna 10 is suitable for both applications commercials such as military, which include for example aerostats, ships, surveillance planes, and space vehicles. Figure 1 shows a physical environment view of different radar systems advanced air and space, in which antenna 10 can incorporate properly. These systems include, by example, lightweight X-band space radars for systems Synthetic aperture radar (SAR), systems 26 for indicating land mobile targets (GMTI), and 28 indication systems for aerial mobile objectives (AMTI). These systems use a number substantial antennae, and antenna 10 of the present invention, thanks to the phase variation modules 18 or MEMS phase shifters, presents a relatively low cost, uses, relatively less energy and weighs less than the antennas of the prior art, using PIN diodes and phase inverters FET switching or transmission / reception modules (T / R).

As shown in Figure 2, each module 18 of phase variation or MEMS phase shifters is sandwiched between a pair of radiating broadband elements 14 opposite. In the illustrated embodiment the radiant elements 14 present, substantially the same geometry and are arranged symmetrically in relation to module 18 phase variation or MEMS phase shifter and in relation to an A axis representing the power / radiation direction of antenna 10, and, more specifically, of its phase 18 or phase shifter module 18 MEMS As will be appreciated, alternatively, the elements radiants 14 may have a different geometry and / or be arranged asymmetrically in relation to module 18 of phase variation or MEMS phase shifter and / or A axis of power / radiation In other words, the radiant element front or outlet 14b may have a different geometry than that of the radiant rear or inlet element 14a.

Each radiant broadband element 14 includes a pair of claw-like projections 32 with a base part rectangular 34, a relatively narrower shank part 38 and an arched distal part 42. The claw-like projections 32 they form grooves 36 between them that provide a trajectory whereby RF energy can be propagated (for example, in the Axis direction of power / radiation) during antenna operation 10. The base parts 34, called in this document, also, ground planes, are a next to each other, on each side of the A / feed axis and are adjacent to module 18 of phase variation or phase shifter by opposite ends thereof, in the direction of the A axis of power / radiation Together, the base parts 34 have a width substantially equal to the width of the module 18 phase variation or MEMS phase shifter. The shank parts 38 are narrower than the respective base parts 34 and stand out in relation to the base parts 34 in the direction of the A-axis power / radiation, and, also, are a next to each other, on each side of the A / feed axis. The distal arcuate parts 42 protrude in relation to the parts of respective rod 38 in the direction of the A axis of feed / radiation and branch laterally away from the A / axis of power / radiation and moving away from each other. The arched distal portions 42 together form an opening to V mode progressively widened or arched, which widens out from the phase 18 or phase shifter module 18  in the direction of the feed / radiation axis A. The opening widening of a broadband radiating element 14 from the end Rear of 11 wideband pass feed lens receives and channels RF energy from the CTS 12 power network and propagates the RF energy, through the corresponding slot 36, at corresponding phase variation module 18 or corresponding MEMS phase shifter. The widened opening of a radiating broadband element 14 of the opposite or front end of the step feed lens of broadband 11 radiates RF energy from module 18 of phase variation or corresponding MEMS phase shifter, through the slot 36 corresponding to the free space.

Returning to figure 3, modules 18 of Phase variation or MEMS phase shifters are configured as network in the pass bandwidth feed lens 11. Thus, the broadband pass feed lens 11 includes a entrance opening 54 comprising a network of radiant elements input 14a behind the phase variation modules 18 or MEMS phase shifters, and an outlet or radiant opening 58 that it comprises a network of radiating output elements 14b facing the MEMS 18 phase inverters. The step 11 feed lens of Figure 3 presents a network or grouping of four (4) rows and seven (7) columns of MEMS phase inverters 18 and four (4) rows and seven (7) columns of radiating elements of input and output 14a and 14b. It will be appreciated that the network can comprise any adequate quantity of MEMS 18 phase inverters and elements radiant input and output 14a and 14b, as desired for a particular application For example, in Figure 4, the lens of 11 bandwidth feed includes 16 phase inverters MEMS 18 and 16 radiating broadband input and output elements 14a and 14b.

The broadband pass feed lens 11 is specially powered by the CTS power network 12. The CTS 12 power supply network, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, includes a plurality of RF inputs 62 (four in the embodiment of figure 3), a continuous element 64 and a plurality of radiating elements CTS 68 protruding from the continuous element 64 in the direction of the inlet opening 54 of the broadband pass feed lens 11. In the embodiment illustrated, the radiating elements CTS 68 coincide, in number, with the radiating elements of input and output 14a and 14b. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the radiating elements CTS 68 are substantially separated, in transverse direction, in the same distance than the radiating input elements 14a and the radiant output elements 14b. It will be appreciated that the separation between radiating elements CTS 68 does not have to be the it does not even have to correspond to the separation between radiating input elements 14a. On the other hand, it can be appreciated that the radiating elements CTS 68 (i.e. the columns) and / or the RF inputs 62 (i.e. rows) of the power supply network CTS 12 does not have to be the same, in number, nor do they have to be aligned or correspond to columns and rows of elements input and output radiators 14a and 14b or with modules 18 of phase variation or phase shifters of the feed lens of broadband pass 11. Thus, the CTS 12 power network can have more or less rows and / or columns than the feeding lens of broadband pass 11 depending on, for example, the application particular of the antenna.

Figure 5 shows a view, in section transverse, of a segment of the power supply network CTS 12 of the Figure 3. The CTS 12 power supply network includes a dielectric 70 made of plastic, such as rexolite or polypropylene, machined or extruded to give it the shape shown in figure 5. Then, the dielectric 70 is coated with a metal layer 74 in order to form the continuous element 64 and the radiating elements CTS 68. The CTS 12 power network lends itself to extrusion processes of plastic and metal coating of large series, common in automobile field manufacturing operations, and, in Consequently, it facilitates low manufacturing costs.

The CTS 12 power network is a network or microwave coupling / radiation grouping. As shown in figure 5, incident parallel waveguide modes originated from a mainline configuration feed arbitrary, they have associated with them current components electrical lines interrupted by the presence of continuous element 64, which excites a displacement current longitudinal, in the z direction, through the interface between the Transmission element and parallel plate. This stream of Induced displacement, in turn, excites electromagnetic waves equivalents that move in the transmission element continuous 64, in the x direction, towards the radiating elements CTS 68 and to free space. It has been found that such CTS antennas do not sweepers can operate at frequencies up to 94 GHz. For more details regarding an illustrative CTS power network reference can be made to US patents nos. 6,421,021; 5,361,076; 5,349,363 and 5,266,961, all of which are incorporate this document as a reference in its entirety.

In operation, RF energy is fed into series, from RF inputs 62, to radiant elements CTS 68, through the parallel plate waveguide of the network CTS 12 power, which is irradiated in the form of a flat wave in the near field. It can be noted that the distances in which the energy of RF moves from RF input 62 to radiant elements 68 are not equal. The flat RF wave is emitted at the opening of input 54 of the broadband pass feed lens 11 by the radiating elements CTS 68 and then it is converted into signals RF discrete. Next, the RF signals are treated by the phase variation modules 18 or MEMS phase shifters. For more Details regarding MEMS phase inverters can be made reference to US patents nos. 6,281,838; 5,757,379 and 5,379,007.

Then, the treated MEMS signals are returned to radiate through the radiant aperture 58 of the lens of broadband pass feed 11, which then recombines the RF signals and forms the antenna beam oriented. In a network of CTS 12 power fed in series of this type, the beam of antenna moves with different angular positions in the E plane 78 (figure 3) as a function of frequency, and is illustrated by way of example by reference 80 in figure 4. As the frequency varies, the output phase of each radiating element CTS 68 changes with different regimes, leading to the sweep of frequencies

In an alternative embodiment, a broadband frequency when feeding the radiating elements CTS 68 in parallel using a plate waveguide feed collective parallel (not shown). By feeding in parallel to the radiating elements CTS 68, the distances at which the RF energy moves from RF input 62 to radiant elements 68 is the same. As the frequency varies, the output phase of each radiating element CTS 68 changes with substantially the same regime, and thus the antenna beam irradiated through the Radiant opening 58 remains in fixed position.

Figures 6-10 show a illustrative embodiment of a network of radiating band elements width 14a and 14b and phase variation modules 18 or phase shifters MEMS, whose broadband radiating elements 14a and 14b are manufactured on a printed circuit board (PCB) 84, and the 18 phase variation modules or MEMS phase shifters are mounted on the PCB 84 between the radiating input elements and exit 14a and 14b. Each phase variation module 18 or phase shifter MEMS includes a housing 86 (figure 9) made of kovar, for example, and an adequate number of phase inverter switches MEMS (not shown), for example, two, mounted in the housing 86. It will be appreciated that the number of phase inverter switches MEMS will depend on the particular application.

A pair of RF 88 connecting pins and a plurality of DC 92 connecting pins protrude from the bottom of the housing 86 in substantially normal direction to the plane of the housing 86 (figure 7). RF 88 connection pins correspond to the radiating input and output elements 14a and 14b respective. RF connection pins 88 extend through of the thickness of the PCB 84 in the normal direction to the plane of the PCB card 84, and are electrically connected with lines of respective microband transmission 104 (ie, a balun) arranged on the side of the PCB 84 opposite to the side on which the phase variation modules 18 or phase shifters are mounted RF MEMS (figures 7 and 8). Transmission lines 104 are electrically coupled with the radiating input elements and respective output 14a and 14b, in order to transmit signals from RF to radiating input and output elements 14a and 14b and a start from them. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the lines of transmission 104 are L-shaped, extending a branch in the respective slots 36 of the rectangular base part 34 (figure 2) of the respective radiating elements 14a and 14b. The part of rectangular base 34 works as a ground plane of the line of transmission 104. The groove 36 constitutes an interruption of the ground plane (that is, of the rectangular part 34) that causes a voltage potential that forces RF energy to propagate at length of the groove 36 of the radiating elements 14a and 14b respective.

The DC connection pins 92 extend, also, through the thickness of the PCB 84 and are connected  electrically with control and polarization signaling lines of CC 108. The control signaling and polarization lines of CC 108 are routed through the center of the PCB 84 and are extend to an edge 110 of the PCB 84.

It will be appreciated that the orientation of the spikes of connection of RF 88 and DC 92 in relation to the plane of the housing 86 of the phase variation modules 18 or phase shifters MEMS allows the pins of connection of RF 88 and CC 92 to be installed vertically. Such interconnection particularity vertical makes the installation of the phase variation modules 18 or relatively simple MEMS phase shifters compared to, for example, monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICS) Conventional with coaxial connectors or wire connections external, or other conventional groupings with connections of end-to-end type that require numerous operations of treatment. Vertical interconnections offer flexibility of installation, allowing, for example, a surface mount, a grid of grid connection pins, or a package of the type of grouping or network of grid connection balls.

As shown in Figure 10, multiple PCB 84 cards (eight in the illustrative embodiment shown), each of them representing a row of the feeding lens broadband pitch 11, can be stacked or arranged vertically as a column, separated by separators 114. Thus, the radiating elements of input and output 14a and 14b of the respective radiant apertures 54 and 58 of the lens of Broadband pass feed 11 present a configuration two-dimensional, that is, a reticular structure of rows and columns of radiating elements of input and output 14a and 14b. The grid separation can be selected based on, by example, the desired frequency and sweep possibilities for a particular application

The control signaling lines and DC polarization of each PCB card 84 are applied with a connector 124. In the illustrated embodiment there are eight connectors 124. Connectors 124, in turn, are coupled electrically with each other by means of a connection cable 132, which, in turn, it is connected to a printed circuit board of DC distribution (PCB) 138.

Referring again to Figure 9, a control-specific application integrated circuit (ASIC) 144 /
The drive, which allows a two-dimensional sweep in the plane E and the plane H, is provided inside or outside the housing 86 of each phase variation module 18 or phase shifter. The ASIC circuit 144 allows the DC inputs / outputs of phase variation modules 18 or adjacent MEMS phase shifters to be connected to each other in series. The ASIC 144 circuit controls the phase settings of the individual MEMS phase shifters or phase shifters of the MEMS phase shifter or phase shifter module 18 in which it is installed, and allows the control and serial polarization of the phase inverter switches MEMS As will be appreciated, the design of the ASIC 144 circuit can be compatible with, for example, current CMOS IC manufacturing processes.

Together, the variation modules 18 of MEMS phase or phase shifters and broadband radiating elements 14a and 14b, which constitute the inlet opening 54 and the opening radiant 58 of the broadband pitch feed lens 11, oriented as in the illustrative embodiment shown, perform a swept in plane E 78 that takes place parallel to the rows of radiant elements 14a and 14b, and a sweep in the plane H that takes place perpendicular to the rows of radiant elements 14a and 14b. In order to make the phase variation settings of each phase variation module 18 or MEMS phase shifter, it is sent a serial instruction, from an orientation computer of make, by means of the CC 138 distribution PCB, at each phase variation module 18 or MEMS phase shifter, which is received by a differential line receiver provided in the ASIC circuit 144. The built-in logic control circuitry in each circuit ASIC 144 can be used to adjust the polarization of each MEMS phase inverter switch in order to achieve a desired phase shift output. Therefore, each ASIC 144 circuit causes an orientation in the plane to occur E and the plane H, or two-dimensional scan, of the beam irradiated by the antenna 10.

Although the invention has been shown and described in relation to certain illustrated embodiments, to experts in the technique may occur alterations and modifications equivalents from reading and understanding of this Descriptive report and accompanying drawings. On the other hand, though some particular feature of the invention may have described above in relation to only one of the different illustrated embodiments, such a feature could combine with one or more characteristics of the others realizations

Claims (8)

1. An adjustable antenna (10), ESA, network electronic scanning lenses comprising: a broadband pass feed lens (11) which includes a first and a second network of elements broadband radiators (14; 14a; 14b) and a network of modules (18) of phase variation or phase shifters arranged between the first and the second network of radiating elements (14; 14a; 14b); Y an element feed network of continuous transverse transmission (CTS) (12) arranged next to the first network of radiating elements (14, 14a, 14b) in order to deliver a flat wave front in the near field; characterized because the phase variation modules (18) or phase shifters consist of phase variation modules (18) or MEMS phase shifters that orient a beam irradiated by the network of CTS power supply (12) in two dimensions, the first and second network of elements Broadband radiators (14a, 14b) are manufactured on a card printed circuit (84), PCB card, and modules (18) of Phase variation or MEMS phase shifters are mounted on the PCB (84), between radiating broadband input and output elements (14a, 14b), and each phase variation module (18) or MEMS phase shifter includes a plurality of DC connection pins (92) extending through the thickness of the PCB card (84) and are electrically connected with signaling lines of DC control and polarization (108) arranged on the side of the PCB board (84) opposite to the side on which the phase variation modules (18) or MEMS phase shifters, routed through the center of the PCB card (84) and extending up to a edge of the PCB card (84), the lines of being connected control signaling and DC polarization (108) with a line of DC distribution (138). 2. The ESA antenna of the claim preceding, in which each phase variation module (18) or MEMS phase shifter includes a pair of RF connection pins (88) which correspond to a first and second radiant elements (14a, 14b) of the first and second network of elements radiators (14a, 14b) of the band pass feed lens wide (11). 3. The ESA antenna of any of the preceding claims, wherein each module (18) of Phase variation or MEMS phase shifter includes a pair of spikes RF connection (88) corresponding to a first and a second respective radiating elements (14a, 14b) of the first and the second network of radiating elements (14a, 14b) of the lens of broadband pass feed (11), and a plurality of DC connection pins (92) intended to receive instructions in series from a beam orientation computer to orient, at least partially, the beam irradiated by the network of CTS power (12), and in which the RF connection pins (88) and CC (92) are arranged perpendicularly in relation with a housing (86) of the phase variation modules (18) or respective MEMS phase shifters in order to allow their interconnection with the PCB card (84) relatively vertical. 4. The ESA antenna of any of the preceding claims, which also includes a circuit Integrated application specific (144), ASIC, of control / drive provided in relation to each module (18) of phase variation or phase shifter, in order to connect electrically in series, with each other, modules (18) of variation of phase or adjacent MEMS phase shifters and phase adjustments individual of the phase variation modules (18) or respective MEMS phase shifters. 5. The ESA antenna of any of the preceding claims, wherein the radiating elements of Broadband (14) of the pass bandwidth feed lens (11) are oriented so that a sweep can occur in the plane E, parallel to the rows of radiating elements (14). 6. A frequency sweep method of radio frequency energy, which comprises the steps of: introduce radio frequency energy, RF, into the power supply of transverse transmission element continuous, CTS, (12); radiate the RF energy through a plurality of radiating elements CTS (68), in the form of a flat wave, in the near field; deliver the flat RF wave at an opening of input (54) of a broadband pass feed lens (11) that includes a plurality of phase variation modules (18) or phase shifters; convert the RF wave plane into signals from RF discrete; radiate the RF signals through a Radiant aperture (58) of the band pass feed lens wide (11), thus recombining the RF signals and generating a beam of antenna; Y vary the frequency of the RF signal introduced into the CTS power supply network (12) in order to thereby change the angular position of the antenna beam in two dimensions and perform a frequency sweep using the beam of antenna; characterized by: use phase variation modules (18) or MEMS phase shifters to treat RF signals, manufacture the first and second network of Radiant broadband elements (14; 14a; 14b) on a card printed circuit (PCB) (84), mount the phase variation modules (18) or MEMS phase shifters on the PCB card (84), between the elements broadband inlet and outlet radiators (14; 14a, 14b), mount control signaling lines and DC polarization (108) on the side of the opposite PCB card (84) next to which the variation modules (18) of RF MEMS phase or phase shifters, route control signaling lines and DC polarization (108) through the center of the PCB card (84) to one edge of the PCB card (84), connecting the lines of control signaling and DC polarization (108) with a line of DC distribution (138), and provide each module (18) with phase variation or MEMS phase shifter of a plurality of DC connection pins (92) that extend through the thickness of the PCB card (84) and are electrically connected to the control signaling lines and respective DC polarization (108). 7. The method of claim 6, wherein The step of introducing RF energy includes feeding the elements radiant CTS (68) in series. 8. The method of claims 6 or 7, which It also includes the step of adjusting the phase variation output of the phase variation modules (18) or respective phase shifters thanks to the polarization setting of one or more switches of MEMS phase inverters in the phase variation modules (18) or respective MEMS phase shifters.